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Using a Pattern to Predict is a free printable Grade 3 science worksheet on using a pattern in motion to predict future motion, aligned to Common Core standard 3-PS2-2. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 7 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Using a Pattern to Predict

3-PS2-2

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.A pendulum gives 9, 9, 10, 9 swings in ten seconds. What do you predict next?
  • A.It cannot be predicted
  • B.About 9 swings
  • C.About 20 swings
2.What would make you stop trusting a motion pattern?
  • A.Results that stop agreeing with each other
  • B.Doing more tries
  • C.Writing them down
3.Why can a repeated pattern be used to predict?
  • A.Patterns are always exact
  • B.The same set-up gives about the same result each time
  • C.Predictions are guesses
4.One try gives 9 swings. Is that enough to predict?
  • A.No, you need a hundred
  • B.No, because one try might be unusual
  • C.Yes, one is enough
5.Someone lengthens the string and predicts 9 swings again. What is wrong?
  • A.The set-up changed, so the old pattern may not hold
  • B.Nothing is wrong
  • C.Longer string always means more swings
6.Your four tries give 9, 9, 10, 9. What makes the prediction trustworthy?
  • A.The four tries agree closely with each other
  • B.One try was 10
  • C.They are all different
7.A swing takes the same time whether pushed hard or gently. What can you predict?
  • A.A hard push will be quicker
  • B.It will take that time on the next push too
  • C.It will stop swinging
8.A marble takes 3 seconds down a ramp four times running. What do you predict?
  • A.About 3 seconds on the fifth run
  • B.6 seconds
  • C.It will not roll

LessonPrint · 3-PS2-2 · Set 7 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Using a Pattern to Predict

Set 7. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.About 9 swings
  2. 2.Results that stop agreeing with each other
  3. 3.The same set-up gives about the same result each time
  4. 4.No, because one try might be unusual
  5. 5.The set-up changed, so the old pattern may not hold
  6. 6.The four tries agree closely with each other
  7. 7.It will take that time on the next push too
  8. 8.About 3 seconds on the fifth run

More practice for 3-PS2-2

Use a pattern in an object's motion to predict where it goes next.

Teaching this next? Using a Pattern to Predict is the 55-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 3-PS2-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.